Officers assaulted at young offenders institution

LONDON: A riot involving 18 prisoners at a Young Offenders’ Institution led to four members of staff and four inmates being treated in hospital, the Ministry of Justice has said.

Police officers were called to Deerbolt YOI in Barnard Castle, County Durham, at around 7.45pm on Wednesday, following reports “of a riot” which was resolved shortly after midnight. The Ministry of Justice said all the injured sustained minor injuries in the trouble that broke out “as an isolated act of indiscipline” on one wing.

Specially trained officers were deployed to restore order, the MoJ said. In a statement, a spokesman said: “Our highly-skilled staff successfully resolved an incident involving 18 prisoners on one wing at HMYOI Deerbolt on Wednesday night. Four members of staff and four prisoners were treated in hospital for minor injuries. Violence and disorder in our prisons is not tolerated and those responsible will be punished for their actions.” Those involved will face adjudication hearings, as well as a police inquiry. A Durham Police spokeswoman said: “At least four prison officers are believed to have been assaulted during the incident. However, they are not thought to have sustained any serious or life-threatening injuries. A police investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”